Philosophy Department

Fantasy and Philosophy
(PHLV 3942)

John Davenport

This Senior Values Seminar addresses the moral and religious themes of classic works of epic fantasy: in the spring of 2003, we'll focus on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, along with short sections of Tolkien's Silmarillion.  With the aid of recent scholarly criticism, we will discuss ways in which Tolkien's work sheds light on our moral experiences and encounters with evil in the real world. We will focus on the author's portrayal of religious hope; human freedom and moral character; the relationship between human creativity, technology, and nature; and questions about power over others.  We will also looks at a few short philosophical classics that help in understanding the significance of Tolkien's  ideas and worldview.   Emphasis will be on in-class discussion, with each student presenting an oral report and writing a research paper during the semester.

Students are required to read Tolkien's entire trilogy before the class begins in the spring (there will be a test, and the class will have a waitlist). Seeing the films is also recommended, but this is not enough (since the book differs significantly from the films in many respects).   My preferred edition, to be used for this class, is the red hardback Collectors Edition by Houghton Mifflin.  Please get this edition (which is cheaper on Amazon.com).  The new edition with the movie photos on the cover is also permissible, but using this version may make it harder to follow passages and page numbers in class.